First Assistant Attorney General – Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit
Details
- Section:
- Natural Resources
- Position Number:
- LAA-09346-1/2025
- Salary Range:
- $139,751.00 - $186,917.00 Yearly
- Apply By:
- Thursday, February 20, 2025, 11:59 pm
- FLSA:
- Exempt
- Work Unit:
- Division of Parks & Wildlife
- Job Location:
- 1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
- Release Date:
- Thursday, February 6, 2025
- Employment Type:
- Full-Time
- Position Type:
- Non-Classified
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Colorado Department of Law, Natural Resources and Environment Section seeks to hire a First Assistant Attorney General to lead the Department’s Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit. This is a rare opportunity for an attorney seeking high-level government experience to lead a team of 11 attorneys who provide legal representation for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Division of Parks and Wildlife (collectively Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners and its staff on all their legal matters. The Office of the Attorney General offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment supported by leadership committed to effective and innovative law enforcement.
WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.
The First Assistant Attorney General for Parks Wildlife and Trust Lands oversees a team of 11 attorneys and two paralegals who provide legal services to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (including a handful of other, related entities such as the Fish Health Board and the Colorado Outdoor Equity Board) and the Colorado State Land Board. In addition to managing the legal team, the First Assistant AG also provides substantive legal advice to the unit’s client agencies. This can take the form of general counsel advice, contract review, litigation, coordination with other agencies and departments in state government, and collaboration with various federal agencies. Areas of practice include administrative law and rulemaking; contracts; real estate; water law; wildlife law; management of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation; legal advice regarding oil and gas and other mineral leasing; conservation of threatened and endangered species; state and federal preemption law; and Colorado statutes governing open meetings and open records.
First Assistant Attorneys General at the Department of Law ensure the unit consistently provides high-quality legal representation. The First is expected to handle a caseload and may act as co-counsel on litigation matters that include high profile or complex cases in the unit. The First Assistant Attorney General serves as a frontline leader in the Department of Law and is responsible for assisting the Deputy Attorney General with personnel, budget, and various administrative duties affecting the work of the Unit and the Department of Law.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
As the First Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources and Environment Section, Parks, Wildlife and Land Trusts Unit you will have the opportunity to:
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Oversee and provide legal services to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This includes assisting and advising the Commission in the development of state wildlife and state park management programs, developing and adopting permit, pass, and licensing requirements, assisting and advising the Division in the implementation of the Commission’s programs, licensing requirements, rules, and orders; coordinating with the Office of the State Controller and Risk Management; overseeing use and implementation of CPW’s extensive water rights statewide; and assisting the Division in management of its portfolio of fee properties, access easements, conservation easements, state parks, state wildlife areas, state hatcheries, gun ranges, research centers, and counseling its law enforcement officers.
- Oversee and provide legal services to the State Land Board. This includes assisting and advising the Board in the development of management programs and lines of business for the stewardship and leasing of real property assets held in trust by the State, including those managed to benefit Colorado’s public schools. Principal lines of business include mineral leasing, grazing leases, commercial leases, and recreational leases. It also involves assisting and advising the Land Board staff in the implementation of the Board’s programs and overseeing litigation that arises in the course of the Land Board’s operations.
- Lead the Unit, manage, and oversee a staff of 13 employees, including assistant attorneys general and legal assistants. The First Assistant supervises and evaluates 11 attorneys and 2 paralegals, is responsible for employee performance management activities, assigns and monitors cases, makes hiring decisions, holds regular unit meetings, and reports to senior management on policy and personnel issues.
- The First Assistant also takes the lead on many of the more complex cases and transactions involving Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the State Land Board including program consultations on a wide variety of programs and substantive and procedural legal issues, caseload and transaction management.
- Manages the Unit, including assigning and monitoring cases and transactions, reviewing outgoing work product, making hiring recommendations, mentoring and evaluating staff, and reporting to senior management on policy, litigation, transactional and personnel matters.
- The First Assistant works closely with the other supervising attorneys in the section and reports directly to the Deputy Attorney General of the Natural Resources and Environment Section, meeting regularly to communicate any significant cases or issues to the Deputy.
Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies.
Communication & Listening – Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff. Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff.
Flexible & Adaptable Management – Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible
Coaching & Developing People – Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals
Creative & Strategic Problem Solving – Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises
Enterprise & Growth Mindset – Balances the goals of clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise
Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence– Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with clients, colleagues, and staff
Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General – Unit position must have the following qualifications:
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Qualified applicants must be admitted to the Colorado Bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
While we understand that no candidate is perfect, we are looking for candidates who can check most of the following boxes:
- At least seven years of legal experience.
- Broad range of litigation experience.
- Experience with public contracting including knowledge of Colorado state procurement code and Colorado fiscal rules
- Experience in transactional activities such as negotiating and drafting complex agreements
- Ability to balance a caseload with supervision and mentorship of staff
- Good judgment as to when to consult supervisors and report on issues
- Have strong legal research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Interest in and/or commitment to public service and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Experience advising clients on high-profile matters with multiple stakeholder groups
- Comfort with and confidence in assessing risks and benefits
- Strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail
- Well-developed ability to work collaboratively
- Excel at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Conditions of Employment:
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
- This position offers flexible work arrangements. Newer employees are encouraged to work in the office 2 or 3 days per week, however alternate in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.
- Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.
- Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Conditions of Employment:
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
- This position offers flexible work arrangements. Newer employees are encouraged to work in the office 2 or 3 days per week, however alternate in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.
- Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado Bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.
- Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.